Legent bourbon
Legent bourbon is made using high-quality grains and calcium-rich limestone water. Credit: Beam Suntory Via Prnewswire.com

Beam Suntory has released Legent, a bourbon made by blending Kentucky Straight Bourbon with additional bourbon that has been aged in wine and sherry casks.

Claimed to create a balanced and layered whiskey, this method is used by Fred Noe, who is a master distiller at Jim Beam. The product is blended by Shinji Fukuyo, the fifth chief blender of Japanese whisky brewer Suntory.

Suntory Holdings CEO Takeshi Niinami said: “Legent is the perfect articulation of the amazing things that can be achieved when two great cultures come together as one, sharing a unified vision to bring true innovation and best-in-class spirits to the world.

“This bourbon honours Fred and the Beam family’s proud traditions while showcasing Shinji’s award-winning blending capabilities. Quite simply, it’s a bourbon no one else could create.”

“I have always been fascinated by the flavour profiles that can be achieved through innovation.”

Legent is made using grains, calcium-rich limestone water and newly charred white oak. The aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon is rested in the summer months to gain the spice and fruity undertones from the wine-soaked barrels. The spirit offers a smooth finish.

Noe said: “Legent is really something special. As a bourbon distiller, I enjoy breaking rules and creating new traditions. It was a real honour collaborating with Shinji on what I think is different from anything out there in the bourbon world.”

Fukuyo said: “I have always been fascinated by the flavour profiles that can be achieved through innovation.

“Using the historic bourbon recipe of Fred’s family as a solid foundation, I was able to explore new taste profiles and reach a final product that reimagines what the future of bourbon can be.”

Legent can be enjoyed neat, on ice, or as part of a bourbon cocktail.

The 47% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) of the 94 proof drink is available in 750ml in select markets across the US for a suggested retail price of $34.99.

In April 2018, Beam Suntory has completed its acquisition of South African spirits distributor ABV Brands after purchasing the remaining 50% stake from founders Ross Calow, Daniel Hawkins and Igor Boyadjian.